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T O P I C R E V I E W

pokey

Per this (and Sightings):

LET'S PLAY BALL -- NASA NIGHT WITH THE HOUSTON ASTROSJSC is invited out to Minute Maid Park on Monday, Aug. 14, to watch the Houston Astros as they knock the Chicago Cubs INTO ORBIT. The STS-121 crew and the entire NASA family will be recognized during the pre-game ceremony. Astronaut Tracy Caldwell will also be on the field representing NASA and America by singing the national anthem. Make sure you get there early, too, because the first 10,000 fans will receive a commemorative STS-121 Astros cap.

I assume this is the first time an astronaut has sung the American national anthem prior to a game. [She was also bumped from 121 when it became a crew rotation flight - glad to see she got reassigned.]

Astro Bill

I have never heard an astronaut singing the National Anthem or any song for that matter. It is a very difficult song for a non-professional to sing. If they do intend to sing it at this game, they better memorize the lyrics or have them on the scoreboard.

Non-professionals may find it easier and more inspiring to sing "God Bless America." I still remember Kate Smith singing that at many sporting events.

Robert Pearlman

For those not immediately familiar, Tracy Caldwell is a vocal lead in the all-astronaut band Max Q.

mjanovec

For what it's worth, I've seen many amateurs do fantastic renditions of the anthem and have seem many so-called "professionals" screw it up badly... usually because they try to be overly dramatic about it.

The fact she was asked to sing the anthem must mean she's a pretty good singer, professional or not.

KSCartist

I had the pleasure of being at a Max-Q concert at the KSC Visitor Complex during AHOF Induction Weekend in 2004 (I think).

The Houston Texans will kick off the pre-season in a "Salute to Space City" exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Reliant Stadium. As part of the pre-game show honoring NASA, the Texans will recognize astronauts from the STS-118 crew and four from International Space Station Expeditions. Astronaut Tracy Caldwell will sing the national anthem, and a NASA video compilation will be shown on the big screen.

Here is a simple recording (off my iPod, standing in the crowd) of Tracy Caldwell's anthem performance at last night's Astros game.

(The "bang" that occurs about 5 seconds into her performance is the sound of a cart full of bottles being dropped.)

Last night was Caldwell's birthday as well, which the announcer mentions after she finishes singing.

thump

For those who were in attendance, for the first pitch, who seemed to have the best arm? It looked like Lisa Nowak was going to have a little trouble making the plate, but Stephanie Wilson looked ready to zing a strike in...

Robert Pearlman

Here's a second shot (to the one posted under Recent Sightings), after the pitches:

LoneStarScouter

My son Aaron and I attended the game. Had a great time. We got two of the hats. Bummer that the bats never woke up though...

MrSpace86

I received a Tracy Caldwell signed photo the other day. Nice lady and very good looking in my opinion. She can sing too.

RMH

I was disappointed that the TV station did not show the national anthem being sung. I was hoping to see it but they used it for commercial space.

music_space

With respect to musical abilities required, your country's national anthem is quite difficult. It includes many wide intervals, and its ambitus -- the interval between the lowest and the highest notes-- is unually large for a national anthem (one and a half octave, twice as, say, God Save the Queen's major sixth). Plus, its apex sits on the highest note and is of a long duration.

Singing it a cappella as is often the custom in sports events makes it an incredible challenge.

wellgrounded

Usually one must audition or be screened before you are permitted to sing the national anthem at a major professional sporting event. No doubt the Astros knew Ms. Caldwell would do just fine before they officially asked her to sing. It sounds like a good time was had by all.

Most Americans understand that our anthem is difficult to sing. In college, I was frequently asked to sing the national anthem at community and sporting events. I always asked the crowd to sing along - believe me, this helps a lot.